WIAC Championship Preview

UW-Stevens Point will aim for a program-best third consecutive title at the WIAC Women's Swimming and Diving Championship this weekend (Feb. 16-18) at the Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center in Brown Deer. The 41st edition of the league meet will be held in conjunction with the 50th gathering of the men's squads.

UW-Stevens Point owns six first-place finishes at the WIAC championship and won last year's crown with 839 points. UW-La Crosse took second with 813.5 points, UW-Eau Claire third with 724, UW-Whitewater fourth with 441.5, UW-Oshkosh fifth with 240 and UW-River Falls sixth with 185.

This year's championship features 15 individuals that have combined to win 20 individual and 23 WIAC relay first-place medals.

UW-Stevens Point junior Andrea Wagner is the defending champion in the 100-yard freestyle and was a member of the winning 200-yard freestyle relay. Sophomore Lauren Alexander was victorious in the 1,650-yard freestyle last season, while senior Anna Nyland won the one-meter diving competition. In 2009, senior Whitney Boehme contributed to the triumphant 800-yard freestyle relay.

Senior Kelly Kading is the two-time defending champion in the 100-yard breaststroke and added the 200-yard breaststroke a season ago, along with the 200-yard freestyle relay and 200-yard medley relay. Classmate Ashley Majewski joined her on the 200-yard medley relay squad. Kading won the 400-yard medley relay in 2010 and was entered with senior Diandra Nero.

UW-Eau Claire senior Nicole Dorvinen claimed Swimmer of the Meet honors last season and is the two-time defending champion in the 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard butterfly and 400-yard individual medley. She also contributed to winning 800-yard freestyle relay squads the past two years.

Senior Kirsten Lickel won the 200-yard individual medley and 1,650-yard freestyle in 2010. She has also contributed to the victorious 800-yard freestyle relay squad the past two years. Senior Julia Olson is the defending champion in the 50-yard freestyle, while senior Angie Bakula won the 1,650-yard freestyle during 2009.

UW-La Crosse senior Danielle Ellingson was a member of last year's winning 400-yard medley relay. In 2010, she captured the 200-yard breaststroke and contributed to the winning 400-yard freestyle relay team. During 2009, Ellingson earned the 200-yard individual medley, 400-yard individual medley, 400-yard freestyle relay, 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard medley relay.

Junior Abby Diehl is the defending champion in the 200-yard backstroke and was a participant on the triumphant 400-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard medley relay squads. In 2010, she was a member of the winning 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard freestyle relay.

Sophomore Erica O'Neill is the defending champion in the 100-yard backstroke and chipped in on the winning 400-yard freestyle relay, along with classmate Shannon Miller.